Electric heating unit for tanks



Jan. 26, 1932.

S. J. BUSH ELECTRIC HEATING UNIT FOR TANKS Filed Dec. 9, 1930 Tia. l

INVENTOR ATTORNEYS 25 above mentioned requirements.

Patented Jan. 26, 1932 UNITED STATES SIDNEY J'. BUSH, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA ELECTRIC HEATING UNIT FOR TANKS Application filed December 9, 1930. Serial No. 501,034.

Obviously, such units must have their electrodes, and the parts in electrical circuit therewith insulated from the tank to avoid short circuits. They must be rigidly sup ported to avoid substantial variations in their spacing and consequent variation in the resultant heat developing resistance. Expansion and contraction ofthe support should be minimized to avoid fluctuations in resistance and in the resultant amperage. The

unit should be substantial and self-contained easily mounted on the tank and demounted therefrom for service and adjustment.

The object of this invention is to provide a heating unit which will respond to the Such a unit embodying the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is an axial section through the lower end of a tank with my improved heating unit showing partly in elevation and partly in section; Fig. 2 is a detail View of an electrode partly in elevation and partly in section; Fig. 3 is a plan view of the structure shown in Fig. 2 with a portion of the clamping strap broken away; and Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the unit detached from the tank.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, a heating tank of which afragment is indicated by 5 is provided with a convex head 6. A hand hole 7 is provided in the head and is defined by a neck 8 from which extends outwardly a flange 9. Such tank may be of the usual iron construction hav- 15 ing an inlet for cold water and an outlet for warm water, not shown. The flange 9 is provided with bolt holes 10 which may be tapped and provide for attachment of the heating unit thereto.

The heating unit comprises a body formed of two substantially cylindrical portions 11 and 12. This body is preferably formed of ceramic material, such as baked clay formed under pressure and solid so that it will not warp under temperatures for heating the water. A step 13 is formed between the sections and a gasket 14 of suitable packing material is provided, so that the face may be clamped to the tank by means of bolts 15 extending through bolt holes in the enlarged portions of the body. Extending through the body from end to end are terminal post openings 16. The upper face of the body is flat. It will be noted that terminal posts 17 extend through the openings 16 with heads 18 resting on gaskets 19 disposed between the heads and the upper face of the body. These terminal posts are clamped in position by nuts 20. Carbon blocks 21 are secured by brackets 22 having feed adapted to rest upon the heads 18. Metallic clamping straps 23 span the feet and are secured to the heads 18 by means of screws 24. This mounting permits the electrodes to be adjustably spaced from one another. Such adjustment is necessary depending upon the voltage of the electricity supplied and upon the character of the fluid to be heated. The unit is shown fully assembled in Fig. 4 and is secured to the tank by means of the bolts 15 whose heads rest upon a ring 25 with a gasket 26 interposed between the ring and the base. In this manner a leak tight fit is provided. Obviously, the structure is rigid under the temperature variations to which it may be subjected, is a good insulator and easily serviced.

What I claim is 1. An electrical heating unit for a heater tank comprising a body of ceramic material having cylindrical portions arranged in tandem with a step therebetween, there being bolt holes extending axially through said body at said step for attachment to said tank over a hand hole therein, said body having an end face at the small portion for mounting of electrodes thereon, terminal post holes extending through said body, and electrodes having feet with terminal posts connected thereto and extending therefrom, said electrodes being carried by said body With said posts in said openings.

2. An electrical heating unit for a heater tank comprising a body of ceramic material having tWo cylindrical portions arranged in tandem With a step therebetween, there being bolt holes extending axially through said body at said step for attachment to said tank over a hand hole therein, said body having a flat end face at the small portion for mounting of electrodes thereon, terminal post holes extending through said body, terminal posts extending through said post holes and having heads, nuts secured to the shanks of said terminal posts to clamp the latter to said body, said electrodes being adjustably mounted on said heads for spacing.

3. An electrical heating unit for a heater tank comprising a body of ceramic material having two cylindrical portions arranged in tandem With a step therebetween, there being bolt holes extending axially through said body at said step for attachment to said tank over a hand hole therein, said body having a flat end face at the small portion for mounting of electrodes thereon, terminal post holes extending through said body and provided with heads resting on said face, nuts secured to the shanks of said posts to clamp the lat ter to said body, and electrodes having feet resting on said heads, clamping straps spanning said feet and detachably secured to said heads whereby said electrodes may be adj ustably spaced.

In Witness that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto subscribed my name this 2nd day of December, 1930.

SIDNEY J. BUSH. 

